Date:         Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:52:02 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Frig running.....
Comments: To: Laura Olson <laurafromdecorah@GOOGLEMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAO1mO2FTnj7bkU0ypG4-SEZJ7YZ77VOBAf4TZeCEX8xoTRg-Fw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

This was just beaten to death a short while ago. The fridge condenser fan is
controlled by a temperature switch on the condenser coil. Doesn't matter
what mode it is in. If the switch says turn the fan on it will turn on. It
is possible for the switch to fail closed, (on), or there could even be a
wiring problem. If the fridge is in use this fan will run frequently
especially in warmer weather. As far as the fridge running on the auxiliary
battery that depends on how it is wired. Unless there are two relays, one
for charge control and another for the fridge operation I'll bet that it
will get power from the auxiliary battery and if the switch is in the 12
volt position it will drain that battery quickly. Also there is no
interlock. It is possible to run the fridge on propane and electric at the
same time. That will overheat things and ruin the fridge real quickly. When
stored in a garage the propane valve shall be turned off. A small leak in a
garage or the fridge running making carbon monoxide can make for a real bad
day.

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Laura Olson
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 9:29 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Frig running.....

So the frig seems to be running or is it the cooling fan, all the time, no
matter how I set the the three way switch.  I am guessing this is what
caused the very expensive auxiliary battery to die.  Just replaced it.  I
know the refrigerator is not supposed to run on the aux battery even if
switched to 12V, only when the engine is running.  I don't want to ruin this
new fancy battery. I just went out to the garage to organize for a long
weekend away and it was running, not terribly cold in the frig, but a
little. Can't be much over 80 degrees in the garage. And it has not been set
on 12V yet this year. (Have not gotten out much).  Any ideas? Could the fan
just run even if no frig on?
Laura